Touch controlled alarm clock



Nov. 14, 1967 E. M. MICHAEL ET 3,352,101

TOUCH CONTROLLED ALARM CLOCK Filed Feb. 21., 1956 mai /Z Nov. 14, 1967 E. M. MICHAEL ET AL 3,352,101

TOUCH CONTROLLED ALARM CLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 73 Filed Feb. 21, 1966 United States Patent 3,352,101 TOUCH CONTROLLED ALARM CLOCK Eugene M. Michael, Spring Valley, and Gerald R. Toovey, De Pue, Ill., assignors to General Time Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 529,144 11 Claims. (Cl. 58--50) The present invention relates to alarm clocks and more particularly to control and illuminating means therefor.-

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel illuminating and control arrangement for an alarm clock in which manipulation of theclock, for example,

momentary touching, sufiices both to illuminate the clock face and to shut off the alarm. It isa related object to provide the same touch-operated means for controlling both illumination and alarm in which the illuminating function is constantly available but in which the alarm shutoff function is only effective during the period of actual ringing so that the alarm cannot be inadvertantly disabled.

More specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide a clock having combined control means for illumination and alarm which, although easily operated, are nevertheless invisible to casual view, resulting in a clock which is attractive and uncluttered in appearance.

It is another object to provide a clock in which both control functions seem to be accomplished with a magic touch but in which the result is obtained simply and economically, adding no more than a few pennies to the manufacturing cost.

It is a detailed object of the invention to provide a clock of the Windup type in which the illumination and alarm control members are contained in a separate unit or tray which is normally integrated with the clock housing but which has provision for quick and'easy access for replacement of a lamp or battery or for other service.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the attached detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, taken from the underside of a clock incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, in partial section, of the base member of the clock, which carries the control elements, separate from the clock housing;

FIG. 3 is a section looking along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 showing coupling of the plunger for turning off the alarm;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section looking along the line 44 in FIG. 2 and showing the manner in which the base member is normally retained in the lower portion of the clock housing;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section looking along the line 55 in FIG. 2 showing the switch used to turn on the lamp;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing at the time that the alarm goes off;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the effect of the blocking member;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view, somewhat diagrammatic, showing the lower portion of a clock embodying a modified form of the present invention in which the illumination and alarm shutofi mechanism is actuated by raising the clock; 7

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and showing the position of the switch and control plunger when the clock is lifted; p

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective showing a further alternative. I

While the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that we do not intend to limitthe invention to the embodiments described but intend to cover the various alterthe alarm driving train the penlight Patented Nov. 14, 1967 wound type having a timing train20 of a kind well under-' stood by those skilled in the art, which is shown, driven by a spring 21 and having an hour Wheel 22, which is connected to the hour hand, and a cooperating index wheel 23 which is connected to the alarm setting hand 13. l

For sounding the alarm, an alarm drive train is provided having a driven gear which is connected to the outer end of the spring 21. The driven gear 30 meshes with a pinion mounted on a shaft 36 carrying a star wheel 37 at its forward end. Mounted for oscillatory movement adjacent the star wheel is a clapper 40 having and only a portion of pawls 41, 42 which are alternately impulsed by the star Wheel teeth. The upper end of the clapper engages the inside surface of a. bell 45. For the purpose of normally blocking the clapper but for releasing it for vibration at a pre-set time, a clapper release member or trigger 46 is provided having a bent-over tip 47 which engages a stop 48 on the clapper member. The trigger member 46 is coupled for response to a condition of register between the hour wheel 22 and the index wheel 23 so that when the pre-set time is reached the trigger releases the clapper for rotation of the alarm drive train and sounding of the alarm. For a more detailed discussion of this mechis movable into blocking engagement with an app1'oach-- ing gear tooth thus causing the gear to be crowded to a stop. As shown in the drawings the blocking member 50 has a tooth engaging tip 51 arranged adjacent the periphery of the driven gear and is rockingly mounted on apivot 52. The member 50 is biased to a retracted position by a spring 53 seating against a limit stop 54. An arm 55 on the blocking member extends downwardly toward the base of the clock. The arrangement is such that when upward force is applied to the arm 55, the tip 51 moves into crowding engagement with the approaching tooth on the driven gear 30, as shown in FIG. 7, to shut off the alarm. The blocking member, because of the crowding action, remains captive on the driven gear in'its blocking position until the gear is rotated in the opposite direction by winding the associated spring. Prior to further discussionof the shutoff feature, more detailed reference may be made to the base portion of the clock.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3; the lower or base portion of the clock has a downwardly facing recess defined by end walls 61, 62 and a front wall 63. Dimensioned to fit freely in the recess is a tray having ends 71, 72, a front edge 73, and rear edge 74. A lamp mounted along the forward edge, and having an adjacent shield 76, casts light upwardly through a Window 77 to illuminate the clock face. For energizing the lamp, a small battery of type 80 is arranged along the rear edge of the tr aypThe ends of the battery are engaged by first and second metal clips 81, 82. Such clips, as well as a third clip 83 which mounts the lamp, are firmly secured to the tray, as by riveting. Forming a part of the clip 82 is 2. flexible tab 84 which makes contact with the tip of the lamp.

Means are provided for mounting the tray 70 within the recess 60 so that it is biased outwardly into a clocksupporting position and yet capable of limited inward movement when fingertip pressure is applied to the top of the clock housing. Thus we provide, along the rear edge of the tray or base member 70, a pair of aligned projections 91, 92 which are arranged to fit into internal notches 93, 94 which are formed in the side walls of the base. Stops 95 formed on the forward edge of the tray register with recesses 96 on the inside surface of the front wall 63 in order to limit the degree of rocking movement of the tray.

For biasing the tray outwardly into its clock supporting position and'for maintaining the tray assembled in the clock housing, leaf springs 101, 102 are provided along the forward edges of the clips 81, 82, the springs engaging a retaining edge 103 formed on the underside 104 of the clock housing (see FIG. 4). The leaf springs 101, 102 project upwardly at an angle, reacting against the edge 103 with a force sufficient to hold the tray in place and to bias it downwardly and yet being sufficiently yieldable so that the tray may be disengaged from the clock housing by retracting it horizontally, in the backward direction, with light fingertip pressure.

In carrying out the present invention means are provided on the tray for simultaneously operating the alarm control member to shut off the alarm and for closing the circuit to the lamp 75 to illuminate the face of the clock when the housing is lightly pressed. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plunger 105 mounted in a boss 106 on the tray extends upwardly for engagement with the lower end 55 of the alarm control or blocking member 50. In addition, a switch 110 is provided having a flexible switch blade 111 which is engaged by the lower wall 104 of the clock housing when the clock is pressed, thus closing the circuit to a contact 112 on the lamp clip 83 to light the lamp.

To summarize, when the alarm goes off, fingertip pressure on the top of the clock rocks the clock forwardly through a small angle about its hinge connection to the position a shown dot-dash in FIG. 3. This relative movement, being transmitted to the blocking member 50 by the plunger 105, causes the member to be rocked upwardly crowding against and stopping the alarm gear 30, turning olf the alarm. Simultaneously, the blade 111 of the switch is forced downwardly into its contact making position and lighting the lamp so that the user, in addition to shutting off the alarm, is immediately told what time it is. Where the alarm is set to go off at the same time each morning, the illumination not only serves as a gentle reminder, but the accompanying flash of light, particularly in a darkened room, helps to stir the sleeper to wakefulness. Where the clock is used by one having a more irregular schedule with the clock being set to go off at a dilferent time each morning, the illumination of the clock face serves as an even more pointed reminder of the time.

It is one of the features of the present invention that while the clock may be touched to provide simultaneous light and alarm control, it may be touched in just the same way to provide illumination only, at any time either before or after the ringing period. Thus where the clock is momentarily pressed sometime during the night before the alarm is triggered, upward movement of the control plunger 105 produces an idle cycle of movement of the blocking member 50. The movement is idle since, with the gear 30 stationary, the crowding action does not take place and the member 50 is thus free to return to its initial position. Similiarly, when the clock is pressed after the alarm is shut olf, the member 50 already occupies its blocking position (FIG. 7) so that movement of the plunger 105 has no effect upon the alarm mechanism.

Indeed the blocking member is maintained in its crowding, alarm-off, position until next time the spring is wound, accompanied by movement of the gear in. its oposite or freeing direction.

The above alarm control and illumination feature is a particularly valuable adjunct to spring wound alarm clocks since it achieves a high degree of utility having considerable sales appeal at extremely low cost. The features are easily demonstrated and are capable of catching both eye and ear. Since the tray or base member is hidden from view and since the relative movement is almost imperceptible, the momentary touch on the top of the housing seems to have an almost magical effect, completely overcoming any stigma of old-fashionedness which may be attached to clocks of the spring wound type. Moreover, since the tray and control assembly, being recessed, is completely hidden from casual view, the wind-up and control members are reduced to a minimum making it possible to produce a clock having a sleek and uncluttered appearance. Also, since the tray assembly is an accessory to, and not part of, the clock mechanism, clocks may be sold without the touch feature to provide flexibility in merchandising. The battery, being only momentarily used, may be expected to last upwards of a year.

If desired, the tray 70 may be provided with a raised lip, as indicated at 70a in FIG. 2, to catch any fluid leakage which might occur from the battery after a long period of usage, thus protecting the table or dresser. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that while outer edges of the tray are confined within the recess 60 in the preferred embodiment, the tray may, if desired, be extended so the edges thereof encompass the base of the clock where this effect is desired for purposes of artistic design and without changing the control functions.

While the invention has been described in connection with a clock which is manipulated by pressing it downwardly with fingertip pressure relative to the supporting surface, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but includes utilization of movement in the opposite direction. Thus, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, parts functionally corresponding to those in the preferred embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals with the addition of reference a. In this embodiment the plunger a, instead of directly engaging the lower end 55a of the control member is coupled to it by a motion reversing lever 120. Such lever, horizontally pivoted at 121, carries the plunger pinned at 122 with downward bias being provided by spring 123. In addition, the switch blade 111a which cooperates with a fixed contact 1120, is reversed in direction so that it is biased into closed position, projecting through a suitable aperture 124 formed in the tray. The tray in this embodiment instead of being floating, as in the previous embodiment, is preferably fixed to the base of the clock. Consequently, in this version, the plunger 105a and switch blade 111a may be considered the base member means as that term is employed in the claims.

When the clock is wound and set and occupies a normal position on the supporting surface, the weight of the clock causes the plunger 105a and switch blade 111a to be pressed inwardly, accompanied by compression of the biasing spring 123, moving the lever clear of the lower end 55a of the alarm control member as in FIG. 8. However, when the alarm sounds, picking up the clock has two simultaneous efiects. In the first place the plunger 105a is moved to its extended position by expansion of the spring 123 (see FIG. 9), thus forcing the alarm control member upwardly into its crowding or shutoff positron, stopping rotation of the alarm drive train and turning off the alarm. At the same time movement of the switch blade 111a to its extended position causes it to make contact with the fixed contact 112a completing the circuit to the lamp, permitting the user to read the clock face, much as discussed in connection with the earlier embodiment. The alternate embodiment has the additional advantage that where the user is near-sighted and without his spectacles at night, the clock may be brought as close as necessary for accurate reading. Moreover, the clock may be picked up to turn on the illumination at any time during the night, for example, before ringing, with only idle movement of the control member so that the alarm is not affected. In the alternate version, the spring 53 may be made quite light permitting a light spring 123 to be used so that positive actuation is possible even in clocks which are lightly constructed.

If desired the lower linkage may be considerably simplified as shown in FIG. in which parts functionally corresponding to those of the previous embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals with the addition of the suflix b. In this embodiment, the switch blade 111b is biased downwardly into the closed position as in the preceding embodiment to close the lamp circuit when the clock is lifted. Forthe purpose of simultaneously raising the arm 55b of the control member to shut off the alarm, the blade 11112 is provided with a lever extension 12Gb which is" integral with the blade 111b and which has a fulcrum 121b. The lever extrusionis biased in the direction of the fulcrum, for example, by bending it slightly downwardly with respect to the blade body. In order to insure that the downward bias on the blade prevails, the connection between the two integral portions may be necked down, as shown, to provide a region of reduced stiffness. When the clock is restored to its supporting surface after the alarm is turned off, the two portions of the blade are restored to their dotted positions. When the clock is picked up for viewing be fore the alarm has sounded the arm 55b will be free, also to return to the dotted position. In this version, as in the case of that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it is desirable to wind the clock when it is seated or with the projecting portion of the blade pressed inwardly.

We claim as our invention: I

1. In a spring" wound alarm clock the combination comprising a housing having a timing train, an alarm mechanism having an alarm drive train, spring motor means for applying torque to the timing train and alarm drive train, means for triggering the operation of the alarm drive train when the timing train reaches a pre-set time, means including a movable control member for stopping the alarm drive train to turn off the alarm after the same has sounded, said housing having a recess in the lower portion thereof, a base member secured to the lower portion of the housing, electrical means positioned in said recess for connecting a lamp and a battery in an electrical circuit, switch means coupled to said electrical means, said base member being movable with respect to the housing and outwardly biased for normal support of the housing and having means coupled thereto for operating the control member in response to inward movement of the base member incident to application of downward fingertip pressure applied to the housing, and means for closing the switch means in operative association with said base member in response to inward movement of the base member incident to application of downward fingertip pressure applied to the housing, thereby completing the electrical circuit for purpose of illuminating the dial.

2. In a spring Wound alarm clock the combination comprising a housing having a dial, a timing train, an alarm mechanism having an alarm drive train, spring motor means for applying torque to the timing train and alarm drive train, means for triggering the operation of the alarm drive train when the timing train reaches a pre-set time, means including a manual control member for stopping the alarm drive train to turn off the alarm after the same has sounded, said housing having a recess in the lower portion thereof, a base member in the form of a tray cooperating with the recess, a lamp in the base member arranged adjacent the dial for illuminating the same, a battery in the base member, a switch in the base member in series with the lamp and battery, said base member being movable with respect to the housing and biased outwardly for normal support of the housing and having means responsive to relative inward movement for closing the switch and moving the control member.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the tray is contained in the recess and is provided with an upturned edge for containing any possible leakage of fluid from the battery.

4. In a spring wound alarm clock the combination comprising a housing having a dial, a timing train, an alarm mechanism having an alarm drive train, spring motor means for applying torque to the timing train and alarm drive train, means for triggering operation of the alarm drive train when the timing train reaches a pre-set time, means including a movable control member for stopping the alarm drive train to turn off the alarm after the same has sounded, said housing having a recess in the lower portion thereof, a base member in the form of a tray in the recess, a lamp, battery and switch in the base member, said base member being hinged to the housing along one edge thereof, means for limiting the degree of outward movement of the base member and for biasing the base member outwardly into a normalclock supporting position, means responsive to momentary inward movement of the base member against the force of bias for both turning on the switch and moving the alarm control member, said base having means for disabling the limiting means to provide access to the battery and lamp for servicing.

5. In a clock the combination comprising a housing having a dial, a timing train, an alarm mechanism for sounding an alarm at a pre-set time and having a movable shut-off member capable of shutting off the alarm after the same has sounded, a base member secured to the lower portion of the housing, electrical means for connecting a lamp adjacent the dial and a source of current in an electrical circuit, switch means coupled to said electrical means, said base being movable with respect to the housing and outwardly biased to a normal clock supporting position, and means coupled to said base member for moving the shut-off member upon relative inward movement brought about by the application of fingertip pressure to the top of the housing and in operative association with said base member for closing the switch upon relative inward movement brought about by the application of fingertip pressure to the top of the housing thereby completing the electrical circuit for purposes of illuminating the dial.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 in which the lower portion of the clock has front and side walls defining a recess and in which the base member is in the form of a tray fitting in the recess, adjacent rear portions of the base member and side walls having alined registering connections for permitting limited rocking movement of the base member within the recess, and means for normally holding the registering connections in engagement while permitting disengagement thereof upon applying intentional rearward force to the base member.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 5 in which the current source is in the form of a battery in the base member, in which the base member has secured thereto a pair of metal clips for engaging the opposite ends of the battery and a third metal clip for engaging the lamp, and in which the switch is formed by a spring member secured to one of said clips and movable in response to relative movement of the base member to complete the lamp circuit.

8. In an alarm clock the combination comprising a housing having a dial, a timing train, an alarm mechanism for sounding an alarm at a pre-set time and having means including a movable control member for turning off the alarm after it has sounded, said housing having base member means engageable with a supporting surface and mounted for vertical movement with respect to the housing between closely spaced limit positions, means for biasing the base member means to its outer limit position, means including a lamp and switch for illuminating the dial, and control means responsive to movement of the base member means occurring upon movement of the clock vertically with respect to its supporting surface for simultaneously moving the alarm control member and closing the switch.

9. In an alarm clock the combination comprising a housing having a dial, a timing train, an alarm mechanism for sounding an alarm at a pre-set time and having means including a movable control member for turning off the alarm after it has sounded, said housing having a recess in the lower portion thereof, and said housing having a base member means positioned in said recess engageable with a supporting surface and mounted for vertical movement with respect to the housing between closely spaced limit positions, means for biasing the base member means to its outer limit position, electrical means positioned in said recess for connecting a lamp in an electrical circuit, switch means coupled to said electrical means, and control means in operative association with said base means and responsive to movement of the base member means occurring upon movement of the clock vertically with respect to its supporting surface for simultaneously moving the alarm control member and closing the switch thereby completing the electrical circuit for illuminating the dial.

10. In an alarm clock for seating on a supporting surface, the combination comprising a housing having a dial, a timing train, an alarm mechanism including a drive gear for sounding an alarm at a pre-set time, means including a gear blocking member biased into a retracted position but movable against the force of bias into a blocking position in which the member is positioned for engagement by an advancing gear tooth for blocking further rotation of the gear, said housing having base member means engageable with the supporting surface and mounted for vertical movement with respect to the housing between closely spaced limit positions, means for biasing the base member means downwardly, means including a lamp and switch for illuminating the dial and control means responsive to relative movement of the base member means occurring when force is applied to move the clock vertically with respect to its supporting surface for simultaneously moving the blocking member into blocking position and closing the switch, the blocking member being free in the absence of movement of the drive gear to return to its retracted position when the force on the clock is released.

11. In an alarm clock the combination comprising a housing having a dial, a timing train, an alarm mechanism for sounding an alarm at a pre-set time and having means including a movable control member for turning off the alarm after it has sounded, said housing having a recess in the lower portion thereof, and said housing having a base member means positioned in said recess engageable with a supporting surface and mounted for vertical movement with respect to the housing between closely spaced limit positions, means for biasing the base member means to its outer limit position, electrical means positioned in said recess for connecting a lamp in an electrical circuit, switch means coupled to said electrical means, and illuminating control means in operative association with said base member means and responsive to the movement of the base member means occurring upon movement of the clock vertically with respect to its supporting surface for closing the switch thereby completing the electrical circuit for illuminating the dial.

No references cited.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

MICHAEL LORCH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A SPRING WOUND ALARM CLOCK THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A TIMING TRAIN, ALARM MECHANISM HAVING AN ALARM DRIVE TRAIN, SPRING MOTOR MEANS FOR APPLYING TORQUE TO THE TRAIN AND ALARM DRIVE TRAIN, MEANS FOR TRIGGERING THE OPERATION OF THE ALARM DRIVE TRAIN WHEN THE TIMING TRAIN REACHES A PRE-SET TIME, MEANS INCLUDING A MOVABLE CONTROL MEMBER FOR STOPPING THE ALARM DRIVE TRAIN TO TURN OFF THE ALARM AFTER THE SAME BIAS SOUNDED, SAID HOUSING HAVING A RECESS IN THE LOWER PORTION THEREOF, A BASE MEMBER SECURED TO THE LOWER PORTIONS OF THE HOUSING, ELECTRICAL MEANS POSITIONED IN SAID RECESS FOR CONNECTING A LAMP AND A BATTERY IN AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, SWITCH MEANS MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE HOUSING AND MEMBER BEING MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE HOUSING AND OUTWARDLY BIASED FOR NORMAL SUPPORT OF THE HOUSING AND HAVING MEANS COUPLED THERETO FOR OPERATING CONTROL MEMBER IN RESPONSE TO INWARD MOVEMENT OF THE BASE MEMBER INCIDENT TO APPLICATION OF DOWNWARD FINGERTIP PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE HOUSING, AND MEANS FOR CLOSING THE SWITCH MEANS IN OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION WITH SAID BASE MEMBER IN RESPONSE TO INWARD MOVEMENT OF THE BASE MEMBER INCIDENT TO APPLICATION OF DOWNWARD FINGERTIP PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE HOUSING, THEREBY COMPLETING THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR PURPOSE ILLUMINATING THE DIAL. 